K Enagonio
- Apr 2, 2018
- 4 min read

Believe in Your Content Feat. Christina Rotondo | Music & Youtube Tips | Project Freelance

Believe in Your Content

Are you new to Youtube and want to showcase your music? Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but it's not all that simple. Not what you wanted to hear? Why, because it's honest? Well, welcome to Project Freelance; the uncensored, unfiltered, and raw podcast that gives listeners an authentic insight into the film, photography, music, and other creative freelancing fields.

This week's topic: music based content creation for those that want to/do use Youtube as their main platform to share their talents/creations on. My guest on this week's episode of your favourite freelancing advice podcast, Project Freelance, is Christina Rotondo, a musician, vocalist, and content creator based in Nottinghamshire in the UK.

I sit down with Christina to chat about the current state of the Youtube platform, how it's affecting new and long time content creators, and what it takes to become successful online in an overly saturated market. I know you've probably heard this tale hundreds of times by now, from your favourite creators, whether it's them telling you that vlogging "ruined their relationship" or that they're "quitting the daily videos," etc. etc., but this is not that tale. This is more of a navigational tool for those who are fighting to reach even 100 subscribers. The ones who have been on the site for a decade, like myself and hundreds of others and don't understand the new era that is beginning in the online space. New creators need to realise how difficult it can be to "make it" in this data filled, fast-paced, instantaneous time we live in. This podcast is for all of us, so we can hopefully learn and teach more people how to survive in this market.

Since publishing her videos to YouTube, Christina Rotondo has continued to gain a following of over 51,000 subscribers and has accumulated over 4.7 million views to her videos. She creates a variety of content, from composing unique alternative versions of songs, original material, to quality video content for brands, ranging from music endorsements to beauty and lifestyle.

A unique example of a female rock artist in the music industry, Christina's music has continued to be showcased by the likes of Kerrang! Radio and BBC Introducing and has continued to build a online community from her distinctive ambient covers of heavy rock music.

If anyone is fit to speak about this topic, it's her. She has risen, fallen, and seen every state in between, during her time creating music for an online audience. In this episode we touch on some of the impacts this has had on her, both financially and emotionally. This game is 60% mental and 40% skill, in my opinion, and if your emotional self is being attacked, because of your financial struggles, or even outside elements, your skill level will deteriorate, as a survival mechanism. But, enough about my psychological interests, let's get back to Christina.

She has a strong background in marketing, after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Honours before being awarded a scholarship at the British Institute of Modern Music. Christina performs with Harry, an acoustic guitarist to create Christina and Harry Acoustic Duo, where they perform for private events and functions all over the UK.

If you want to make this work, you have to have multiple sources of income. Youtube is falling apart and everyone wants to know where they should go next, but as a musician, you already have a leg up, because you can get work outside of Youtube. Christina has had the opportunity to work on projects like Guitar Hero Live. Youtube can't be your be-all-end-all. Look at some of your favorite creators and you'll see that many of them have companies, makeup and clothing lines, they act, etc. etc.. Youtube is going back to what it originally was, a social media platform. The creators that are genuine and authentic will stand out and stay in the subscribers folders. If you believe in your content, create more, create often, and push yourself.